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1 of 4The 2013 Dodge Dart Limited is a fun, competent car on its own--and it only looks better when compared to its lackluster predecessors.

Photo by Dodge

2 of 4Despite fierce competition from all sides, the 2013 Dodge Dart Limited stands out as a sedan with character.

Photo by Dodge

3 of 4We found the optional 1.4-liter turbocharged inline four in our 2013 Dodge Dart Limited to be a bit buzzy, but it was plenty of fun once we got the revs up.

Photo by Dodge

4 of 4The attractive exterior of the 2013 Dodge Dart Limited was matched by a well-executed interior. Our tester had a six-speed dual dry clutch transmission, not the six-speed manual shown.

Photo by Dodge

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: I'd been looking forward to driving the Dart since the car was revealed—this marks my first impression, if you don't count drives of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta that helped form my positive underlying opinion of the car. I'll admit that despite my good vibes going in, and the car's apparent high level of equipment for this money, I was somewhat underwhelmed—at least at first. The car seemed softened too much, with oversized upholstery, and I found it hard to find the “just right” driving position. Within a block of the office, the suspension crashed so hard over a bump in the pavement on a corner that I was really concerned that I'd set way too high an expectation. The drive home was generally uneventful, but allowed me time to start getting accustomed to the Dart and learn to appreciate its Italian nuances.

But wait, there's more: The next morning, with the car already adjusted for my seating position, etc., it seemed far more hospitable and enjoyable. I was able to really concentrate on the car's driving dynamics, pushing the powertrain and suspension a bit as I took some extra drive time back to the office. The car seems to exhibit two distinct characters, a low-speed one and a high speed (say, above 50 mph) one. I prefer the higher-speed version, where the car seems to hunker down and haul, with steering and handling tightening up without diminishing the ride quality. Though power isn't the car's strong suit, it's acceptable, and the car does possess good steering and excellent braking, all while the suspension keeps everything well controlled.

Overall, the Dart still rates high marks in my book—I suspect at these prices and with this much style and equipment it will do well against the competition. Good work, Chrysler.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: This is a nice little car for Dodge—something its dealers need badly.

This is the U.S. version of the MultiAir turbo found in various Fiats around the work. It's a little noisy/buzzy, with good enough power mated to this dual-clutch gearbox, but you got put your foot in it.

In fact it's a little too on/off for me. Below 40 mph the car is a bit of a dog then it snaps to attention. Maybe the manual version is better. Fitted with this dual-clutch, a bit more flexibility would be good.

The car is not a bad little ride/handler, though how could Chrysler not improve on the Neon and Caliber? The ride is comfortable for a car in this class.

Need more time in it. For now, though, I can say it's a hell of a lot better than the Caliber.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: This Dodge Dart is miles better than the Caliber or Neon. It just feels substantial. The doors have a nice weight, the interior is quiet, even the turn signals have a nice feel and sound.

The interior is way nicer than past cars and right on par with the rest of Dodge's lineup. The leather seats are soft and adjustable, though I think they sit a little too high for me. The accenting stitching is a nice touch, as are the soft-touch armrests.

The big video screen works well and is easy to understand. It actually makes the dash look cleaner, with fewer buttons look at. The iPod functionality does bother me a bit. You have to sync it with the radio what seems like every morning. That means you can't search the player until it's all booted up, kind of annoying.

The sheetmetal has a clean, spaceship look to me, sort of a cross between the Neon and the Dodge Intrepid. This one has the upgraded wheels, which look OK, but the tires seem a bit tall and the wheel wells look a bit cavernous. Throw some 20s on it! Just kidding, kind of.

The dual-clutch transition is a little wonky. It hunts a bit in automatic mode and the manual switching isn't nearly fast enough. It also takes too long to engage, so any lane changing needs to be planned in advance. The engine is strong enough so a manual transmission would solve those problems. Can't wait to try it with the 2.4-liter engine, it should be fun.

I would compare my experience to getting into Hyundai and Kia products a few years back: Perhaps you weren't expecting a lot, but the execution delivered. That's what the Dart does, and dare I say, exactly what Dodge needs. This sedan has character. It stands out in a field of quality competitors. Dodge needs something that will make buyers take notice—and want to opt for something else besides the Toyota Corolla they've driven for years. With compelling style and a good deal of individuality, this Dart delivers.

But it has some traits that are turnoffs, and mainstream buyers will be at the very least given pause. It's slow around town and during initial periods of acceleration. It's far better with the revs elevated and during aggressive zips and spurts on the expressway. The dual-clutch is generally good, but there are periods where the drivetrain seems to hesitate.

The steering has appropriate weight—above average for this area, and the chassis is tight and semi-sporty for my tastes. It drives in a spry fashion and handles curves with composure.

The cabin is comfortable and handsome. I like the posh seats, and well-laid-out instrument panel. The digital gauges, in particular, are handsome and functional. This example is well-appointed—it should be, considering the price is a touch higher than I would have guessed. Still, the Dart presents a solid value proposition.

I like the exterior design, which is curvy, purposeful and has some individuality. Mazda and Ford do nice jobs of standing out in this segment, and I would add Dodge to that group now as well.

This is my first time behind the wheel of the Dart. I piloted the Alfa Romeo Giulietta more than a year ago, which whet my appetite. In the grand scheme of things, this car is a good sign for the Chrysler/Fiat collaboration.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: I'm a big fan of the 2013 Dodge Dart, although I'm not sure the 1.4-liter turbo engine would be my first choice. The engine is a bit buzzy, and there's no grunt down low. But once everything is up and spinning, it's just fine. Better than fine, actually.

The Dart is standout on a couple of fronts. The interior is probably the best in the segment. The dash is configurable to your own choosing, which is nice. You can even choose the colors at night. The infotainment screen is iPad-ish, it's so big. With the touchscreen, everything is very easy to navigate. The menus are simple and straightforward.

The car looks good, too, from the outside. It cuts a handsome profile, and with the racetrack taillight (like on its bigger sibling Charger) really stands out from the midsize crowd.

When you look at the price here, for $26k you're getting a handsome, comfortable, capable midsize car, the likes of which Dodge dealers haven't had for years.